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,TAX LISTS 

Of the Town of Providence 



DURING THE 



ADMINISTRATION OF SIR EDMUND ANDROS 
AND HIS COUNCIL 



1686-1689 



Together with a List of Names of all Males Sixteen Years of age and 

UPWARDS Residing in the Town of Providence in August 

1688 AND Liable for a Poll Tax 

compiled by 

EDWARD FIELD, A. B. 

Member of the Rhode Island Historical Society and one of the 
Record Commissioners of the City of Providence 



PROVIDENCE 

Howard W. Preston 

1895 



30950 



Edition Limited to Two Hundred and Fifty Copies, 
OF which this is 



No..^O^ 



J^ 







STATEMENT. 



The original documents here printed were kept, with hun- 
dreds of other old papers relating to the town of Providence, 
in cloth bags in the office of the town and city clerk, until the 
year 1845, when they were deposited with the Rhode Island 
Historical Society for safe keeping. Soon after they were 
received by the Society they were pasted into scrap books for 
their better preservation, but without any particular classifica- 
tion or chronological order. It was not until after the city 
again assumed the custody of them, and they were repaired and 
arranged, that the relation which one paper had to another was 
discovered. The originals are now included in the volume of 
Providence Town Papers No. 2, and are numbered respectively 
0505, 051 1, 0524, 0531 and 0532. 

For similar tax lists during the Andros period, the reader is 
referred to the First Report of the Record Commissioners of 
Boston. 



Tax Lists of the Town of Providence 

During the Administration of 

Sir Edmund Andros. 



No part of the history of New England is so difficult of 
study as the period during which Sir Edmund Andros ruled 
with arbitrary power over the destinies of the colonies. 

The records of the three years of his administration are scat- 
tered and fragmentary. Here and there, in Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, Connecticut, and even in New York, may be 
found stray writings which throw much light on the events of 
this period ; but nowhere is there anything like a complete 
record of the official proceedings of the Council of Sir 
Edmund Andros. 

It is said that these records were forwarded to England ; but 
Bartlett says' that " they are not now to be found in the English 
State Paper office." 

Andros arrived in New England in 1686, and in December 
of that year assumed the government of Rhode Island, the 
colony thereby becoming a county or shire of the dominion over 
which Andros was settled. Its identity as a distinct government 
was lost, and, during the period of the usurpation, no meetings 
were held by the legislature of the colony. 

In the town of Providence, which at that time included 

1 Rhode Island Colonial Records, Vol. 3, preface. 



[5] 

nearly the whole northern part of the colony of Rhode Island, 
a period of confusion existed ; between January 27, 1686, and 
April, 1689, the records of but thirteen meetings are now to 
be found, a very small part, probably, of those which were held. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the records and proceedings of 
this period are so meagre, such as are remaining furnish much 
information as to some of the methods of this administration, 
but they more particularly show the system by which the Royal 
Government harassed and taxed the poor colonists for its 
support. 

The people were required to present to the persons selected 
as assessors a statement of their ratable property, at regular 
intervals, and their plaintive appeals for these officers to " be 
not unmindful of the Golden Rule," form a pathetic side to this 
many-sided administration. 

The documents relating^ to the town of Providence for these 
years refer almost entirely to taxation. Connected with them 
is one which is particularly valuable and interesting and 
which for years appears to have been entirely overlooked. It 
is a census of all the males in the town of sixteen years and 
upwards, giving the name of each. This list was prepared by 
virtue of an "Act for the Continuing and Establishing of Severall 
Rates, Duties and Imposts," passed by Andros and his Council 
early in their administration. In this act provision was made 
for the assessment and collection of a poll tax on every male 
upwards of sixteen years old at "one Shilling and eight pence 
by the Head," and, to carry out this, it was further ordered that 
a list " fairly writte" be prepared and submitted to competent 
authority, that the persons named therein might be thus 
assessed. 



[6] 

Only one of these lists Is found among the documentary 
possessions of the city ; but this, however, gives the names of 
all such male persons in the town in August, i68S. It is 
believed to be the earliest list of the inhabitants of Providence 
now extant. As will be noticed in the law itself the persons 
deputed to make this list and assessment were authorized to 
exempt such persons "as are disabled by sickness, lameness, or 
other infirmity." To how great an extent this would affect the 
census of Providence, there is no way of ascertaining. 

The first warrant, during the Andros regime, for the assess- 
ment of a tax, mentioned in the records of the town of Provi- 
dence was dated January 20, 1686-7.' 

It was presented at the town meeting held "Thirsday March 
y* lo''': i68y" and the following action was taken relative to it : 

" Voated, That whereas there is an Expresse by warrant from 
the treasurer m"": JohnVsher to Assess and Levey upon the inhab- 
etants of this towne of Providence the just sum of one peny in y® 
pound to be Raised according to former vsage& Custome ; which 
warrant beareth date Boston y^ 20'^ day of Januarey Anno Dom 
i68f, &•=; 

The towne doe order & appoynt the towne Councill of our 
sayd towne to levey and proportion the said Rate upon the sev- 
erall Inhabetants of our said towne." 

The rate bill prepared in accordance with this vote is not 
found among the city's possessions. 

On the 1 2th of August, 1687, another warrant from the 
treasurer at Boston was received in Providence. This provided 

I Early Records of the Town of Providence, Vol. VIII, p. 170. 



for the assessment of a tax on the real and personal estate of 
the inhabitants, as well as a poll tax, of " one shilling & eight 
pence " a head. 

It was probably the first of its character to be received from 
the new government ; it was in the following words : 

Jn° Usher Esq"" Treasuro'& receiver Gen" of his Maj- 
estys revenu within his Territory & dominion in 
New England, to ysConstabls& Select men in y^Town 
of providence in y^ County of Rode Jsland : Greet- 
ing : By Virtue of an act made by his Excellency 
the Governo'^ & Councill, Jntituled an act for Contin- 
[l. s.] uing & Establishing of Severall rates dutys & Jm- 
posts you the Constabls of y^ s*^ Town are hereby 
Required forthwith upon Receipt hereof, to call 
to gether the Jnhabitants of s*^ Town, whoe are to 
choose one of them to be a Comission'^ for y" s'^ 
Town & y* the Com"^ Soe chosen with you the 
Select men doth some time in the Month of Augt 
Next ensueing make a list of all the male persons in the Same 
Town from Sixteen years old & upwards & a true Estimation of 
all reall & personall Estates, in such man"" & forme, as pertic- 
ulerly in y^ s*^ act is directed, All which persons & Estates, are 
by y^ s*^ Com"" & y^ s"^ Select men, to be assessed & rated as fol- 
loweth vizt Every person aforesd (except the memb"^* of his Maj- 
estys Councill) One Shill & Eight pence by the head & all 
Estates reall & personall att one penny for every twenty shill 
According to y^ rates of Cattell in y^ s"^ act mentioned & y^ 
s*^ Com"" is hereby likewise required upon the first wensday in 
the month of Septemb"" then next following to meett & assemble 



[8] 

w"" the Other Com" of y*" County att there Shire or County Town, 
& bring with him fairely writte y^ just numb' of Males Hsted 
as a fore s'^, & y^ assesmts of Estates made in y^ s'^ Town, 
where y^ Com"^ being Soe assembled, shall duely & carefully 
examin y* s*^ lists & assesments, & correct & perfect yem 
according to y^ true Jntent of y^ s*^ act & y^ same Soe perfected 
y^ s'^ Com" are Spedily to transmitt unto me und"" there hands 
or the hands of y^ Major part of yem togeather w'"" y^ names of y^ 
Constables in each respective town, thatt ord'^ may be given for 
Collecting & L>evying y^ same accordingly Given und'^ my 
hand & Seale att Boston y^ 20'^ day of July & in the third year 
of his Majestys Reigne Annoq^ Dom 1687 

Jn° Usher Treasuro"^ ' 

This warrant bears the followinsf endorsement : 



As attest Daniel 



This warrant came to my hand this 12"" of August (neer 
night) 1687: who y^ 15'^ of this jnstant As- 
sembled y^ inhabitants, & chose a Comis- 
ion' to joyne with y^ Select men of o^'Towne, L Abb [ ] 
to Aswer y^ requirm' of the Treasuro' to y^ Constable 

constables in y* warrant. 1 

Pursuant to this warrant a tax was assessed, of which the fol- 
lowing is a copy. It is endorsed, " A List of Country Rate 
proportioned upon the Jnhabetants of Providence by their Com- 
missioner & Select Men September y^ i'' 1687 : the sum totall 
33-9-6, Erors Excepted./ 

"A List of Names of those Rated in Providence And their 
parts to pay of their proprietys 

1 Providence Town Papers, 0505. 



[91 

Silas Carpenter & ) 

Benjamin Carpenter j 

Stephen Arnold 

Joanna Reape 

James Blackmare 

John Sheldon 

Timothy Sheldon 

Timothy Carpenter 

Widdow Mary Harris 

Cap': ffenner & his wife 

William Randall & fowP 

William Vinsent 

The Estate of the deceased Joseph Wise 

Jo° Thornton sen"" 

Jo" Thornton jun"" 

Mary Burden 

Solomon Thornton 

Thomas Harris 

Richard Clemence 

William Haukins 1 

& Jo°: Haukins his son j 

Jo": Steere 

Edward Haukins 

Peter Playce 

Alexander Balkom 

Nathaniell Mawry 

Edw: Jnman sen' 

Edw: Jnman jun"" 

John Mawry 

Joseph Hearnton 



I 


-I - 


10 


o 


-7 - 





o 


-6 - 





o 


-4 - 





o 


-I - 


3 


o 


-9 - 





o 


-9 - 





o 


-15- 


4 


o 


-05- 


II 


o 


-06- 


I 


o 


•02- 


6 


o 


-08 





o 


-02- 


I 


o 


-05- 


5 


o 


-02 


-0 


o 


14- 


5 


o 


-05- 





o 


-05- 





o 


-05- 





o 


-06- 





o 


-02- 





o 


-02- 


3 


o 


-06- 





o 


-03- 


6 


o 


-03- 





o 


-06- 


6 


o 


-02- 






John Jnman o -04- 4 

Ben: Hearntonjun^ o -03- o 

James Belloo o -03- 2 

Tho: Hopkins o -04- i 

Ephraim Prey o -02- o 

Jo" Pray o -03- o 

Eliezer Whipple ' o -05- 3 

Will Whipple o -02- 3 

Vail: Whittman o -08- 9 

Sam: Wilkenson o -04- i 

Edward Smith o -07- o 

Eliezer Arnold o -06- 6 

Lawn Wilkenson o -05- 6 

Jonathan Sprauge • 0-05-3 

Ephraim Pierce o -06- 3 

Jo": Wilkenson o -04- O 

Thomas ffenner o -08- 2 
The Estate of y^ deceased ) 

Jo": Scott ) 

John Malavery o -03- o 

Joseph Jinkes & his two sons 1 

Joseph & Nathaniell 1 

David Whipple o -oS; o 

Jo": Angell 

Tho: Walling 

Jonathan Whipple 

Benjamin Whipple 

Will Haukins jun^ o -07-00 

Joseph Williams o -07-10 

John Walling o -01-10 



o -02- o 



O -12- O 



o -06- O 
o -01-10 
o -02-08 
o -02-06 



[I'J 



Jo° Sayles 


o 


-08-07 


Richard Waterman 


o 


-03-07 


Zachariah ffield 


o 


-06-00 


The Estate of Anthony Evernden 


o 


-08-00 


Widdow Mathuson 


o 


-03-02 


Thomas Clemence 


o 


-05-00 


Estance Thomas & his two Sons 1 
Thomas & Henry j 


o 


-06-01 


Stephen Hardin 


o 


-05-00 


Abraham Hardin 


o 


-04-02 


Gregory Dexter & ) 
John his Son J 


o 


-12-07 


Samuell Comstock 


o 


-03-00 


The Estate of y^ Deceased 1 
Benjamin Hearnton i 


o 


-04-02 


Joseph Woodward 


o 


-02-01 


Samuell Whipple 


o 


-09-01 


The Estate of y^ deceased 






Jo° Smith (mason) & Joseph 


o 


-03-01 


Smith his Son 






John Arnold 


oo 02-06 


Widdow Arnold 


00-00-06 


Widdow Belloo 


00 


1-00-06 


Tho: Arnold 


oc 


)-03-04 


Tho: Olney 


oc 


I-I2-07 


The widdow Sarah Smith ) 
& John her son j 


oc 


)-II-00 


John Browne & John his son 


00 


-09-00 


Epe: Olney 


oc 


)-o8-oo 



[12] 

The Orphans of James | 

Dexter or Estate to them [► oo-oi-oo 

belonging- J 

Gidion Cruffurd 00-07-09 

Shadrach Manton 00-01-01 

Edward Manton 00-07-11 

Joseph Whipple 00-05-07 

The Estate of y^ deceased ) 

John Thockmorton j ^ 

The Estate of y^ deceased ) 

Richard Scot j 

Richard Prey 00-00-09 

00-05 oS 



00-02-00 



Tho: Angell & ) 

James his Son j 

Nathaniell Waterman 00-19-09 

Daniell Abbott 00-05-11 

Tho: ffield 00-13-07 

John Keyes & Anne his wife 00-00 06 

The widdow Elizabeth Harris 00-01-00 

Abraham Man with y^ Estate 

of Jo" Lappham 

Daniell Williams with the I 

Estate of y^ deceased Nicolas Power j 

James Clarke 00-01-09 

Anne Harris 00-01-08 

James Ashton 00-01-01 

Pardon Tillinghast 00-14-00 

Samuell Winsor with 

y^ Estate of George Shepard 

Thomas Patey 00 03-09 



> 00-07-00 



[>3] 

Daniell Browne 00-03-00 

Henry Browne 00-08-00 

Andrew Edmunds 00-01-03 
The Estate formerly & still | 

Reputed to belong to }■ 00-03-10 

Ephraim Carpenter J 

Rowland Joanes 00-01-00 

Tho: Coopper 00-01-00 

William Hopkins 00-07-07 

William Hearnton 00-01-03 

Richard Bates 00-01-02 

John Sheldon Jun': 00-00-04 

Nicolas Sheldon 00-00-02 

George Keetch 00-02-04 

Resolved Waterman 00-00-05 

Tho: Baker 00-01-07 

Joseph Aldridg oo-oo-c6 

James Walling 00-00-06 

The Estate of William Austin 00-00-03 

Arthur ffenner jun': 00-05-04 

Jeremiah Rhodes 00-00-09 

Henry Browne jun' 00-02-06 

Will: Prey 00-01-06 

Alexander Balkcom jun' 00-01-00 

Joshua Clarke 00-01-06 

Richard Phillipps 00-00-08 

Jo": Belloo 00-01-00 

Peter Belloo 00-01-01 

Sam: Wright 00-02-00 

Jo": Whipple 00-07-06 



00-0I-06 



[14] 

John Hearnton 00-00-06 

Ephraim Carpenter jun"" 00-00-09 
The Estate of y^ deceased 1 
Roger Williams J 
The Estate of y^ deceased ) 

Providence Williams j " ^ 

Will: Burton 0-04- o 

Roger Burlingham 0-06- o 

Edward Searle 0-04- o 

Jo°: Burlingham 0-03- o 

Tho: Burlingham 0-02- o 

Abell Potter 0-04- o 

Tho: Relph 0-04- o 

Sam: Relph ' 0-0 1- o 

Tho: Hopkins 0-03- o 

Tho Stafford 0-03- o 

Joseph Stafford 0-03- o 

Peter Roberts 0-00- 6 



Totall 33-09-06 

Errors Excepted 

Made & proportioned by y^ Comissioner & Select men 
of Providence at theire meeting for that purpose September y' 
i^', 1687 in order to a warrant from Jo": Vsher esq' Treasurer 
dated July y^ 20'^: 1687' 

The list of the males over the age of sixteen years assessed 
at the same time is not found. 

The "Act for the continuing and establishing of several 
Rates Duties and Imposts," is printed in full in the Colonial 

1 Providence Town Paper 051 1. 



[•5] 

Records of Connecticut. This, with other laws enacted during 
the Andros period, was found, only after much search and 
inquiry, by J. Hammond Trumbull, in the Library of Yale Col- 
lege, appended to a copy of the First Book of the Colony Laws 
(ed. 1673). "This volume, at the period of the usurpation, was in 
the possession of Mr.John Wadsworth,Sen.,of Farmington,(one 
of the Assistants from 1679 to 1689) ^^o carefully recorded in it 
the acts and orders of each session of the General Court from 
May, 1673, to March, 1687, and ' the Laws of the Territory of 
New England,' in force during the government of Andros in 
Connecticut." ' 

As this act is of great importance in the study of the taxa- 
tion side of the Andros regime, it is herewith presented. 

An Act for the continuing and establishing of several Rates, 
Duties and Imposts. 

Be it enacted by the Governour and Council^ and it is hei^eby 
eiiacted and ordaijied by the authority of the same, That the sev- 
eral rates, duties and imposts hereafter mentioned and expressed 
be and are hereby continued and established to be paid to his 
Majesty towards the support of the government and defraying 
the public charge thereof, and to be collected and levied in the 
manner and form as herein is directed and prescribed, that is to 
say ; that the treasurer for the time being shall, from year to 
year, in the month of July, without expecting any other order, 
send his warrant to the constable and selectment of every town 
within this territory and dominion, requiring the constable to 
call together the inhabitants of the town, who being so assem- 
bled, shall choose some one of the said inhabitants to be a com- 

I Note in Appendix to Vol. 3 Colonial Records of Conn. 



[.6] 

missioner for the town, who together with the select men shall, 
some time in the month of August then next ensuing, make a 
list of all the male p[ersons in] the same town from sixteen 
years old and upwards, and [a true estimation of all] real and 
personal estates being or [reputed to be the] estate of all and 
every the persons in the same town or otherwise under their 
custody or managing, according to the just valuation and to 
what person the same doth belong, whether in their own town 
or elsewhere, so near as they can by all lawful means which they 
may use ; (that is to say,) of houses, lands of all sorts, as well 
broken up as other, (except such as doth or shall lye com- 
mon), mills, ships and all small vessels, merchantable goods, 
cranes, wharves, and all sorts of cattle, and all other known 
estate whatsoever, at sea or on shore ; all which persons and 
estates are by the said commissioner and selectmen to be assessed 
and rated as hereafter followeth, that is to say: every person 
aforesaid, except the members of his Majesty's council, one shil- 
ling and eight pence by the head, and all estate both real and 
personal at one penny for every twenty shillings, according to 
the rate of cattle hereafter mentioned ; the estates of all mer- 
chants, shop-keepers and factors shall be assessed by the rule of 
common estimation, according to the best discretion of the 
assessors, having regard to their stock and estate, be it pre- 
sented to view or not, in whose hands soever it be ; and if any 
such merchants find themselves over-valued, if they can make 
it appear to the assessors they are to be eased by them, if not, 
by the next Court of Sessions ; and houses and lands of all 
sorts (except as aforesaid) shall be rated at an equal and indif- 
ferent value, according to their worth in the towns and places 
where they lie : every bull and cow of four years old and up- 



[17] 

wards at three pounds; heifers and steers between three and 
four years old, at fifty shillings, and between two and three 
years old at forty shillings, and between one and two year- 
old at twenty shillings, and every ox at four year old and 
upwards at five pounds ; and every horse and mare of three 
year old and upwards, at five pound ; between two and three, 
at three pounds ; of one year old and upward, at thirty shillings: 
every ewe sheep above one year old, at ten shillings : every goat 
above one year old, at eight shillings: every wether sheep above 
one year old, at ten shillings : every swine above a year old at 
twenty shillings : every ass above one year old at forty shillings : 
and all cattle of all sorts, under a year old are hereby exempted, 
as [also] all hay and corn in the husbandman's hands, because 
meadow and arable ground and cattle are rateable as 
a [foresaid]. 

[And all such perso]ns as by the advantage of their [arts] 
and trades are more enabled to help bear the publick charges 
than common labourers and workmen, as butchers, bakers, wrew- 
ers (brewers ?), victuallers, smiths, carpenters, tailors, shoemak- 
ers, joiners, barbers, millers and masons, with all other manual 
persons and artists, such are to be rated for returns and gains 
proportionable with other men for the produce of their estates ; 
provided, that the rate by the poll, such persons as are disin- 
abled by sickness, lameness, or other infirmity, shall be exempted. 
And for such servants and children as take not wages, their 
parents and masters shall pay for them, but such as take wages 
shall pay for themselves. 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that the 
commissioners for the several towns in every shire or county 
within this dominion, shall yearly, upon the first Wednesday in 



[i8] 

the month of September, assemble at their shire or county town, 
and bring with them, fairly written, the just number of males 
listed as aforesaid, and the assessments of estate made in their 
several towns, according to the rules and directions in this pres- 
ent Act expressed. And the said commissioners being so assem- 
bled shall due[ly] and carefully examine all the said lists and 
assessments of the several towns in that shire or county, and 
shall correct and perfect the same, according to the true intent 
of this act, as they or the major part of them shall determine, 
and the same so perfected they shall speedily transmit to the 
treasurer under their hands, or the hands of the major part of 
them ; and thereupon the treasurer shall give warrants to the 
constables to collect and levy the same, so as the whole assess- 
ments both for persons and estates may be paid unto the treas- 
urer before the twentieth day of November yearly. And every 
one shall pay their rate to the constable in the same town where 
it shall be assessed ; and if the treasurer cannot dispose of it 
there, the constable shall send it to such place in Boston or 
elsewhere as the treasurer shall appoint, at the publick charge, 
to be allowed the constable upon his accounts with the treasurer. 
And for all such places as are not within the bounds of any town, 
the lands with the persons and estates thereupon shall be 
assessed by the rates of the town next unto it, the estimation to 
be by the distances of the churches. And if any of the said 
commissioners or select men shall willingly fail or neglect to 
perform the trust committed to them by this act in not making, 
correcting, perfecting or transmitting any of the said lists or 
assessments according to the intent thereof, every such offender 
shall be fined forty shillings for every such offence, or so much as his 
Majesty shall be damnified thereby, provided the same be pros- 
ecuted within six months. 



[19] 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that upon 
all distresses to be taken for any of the rates and assessments 
aforesaid, the officer shall distrain goods or chattels if they may 
be had ; and if no goods, then land or houses ; if neither houses 
nor lands [are to be] had within the town where such distress 
is to be taken th[en to take] the body of such persons to be 
carried to [the common jail, until] the next court of sessions, 
except [they shall give bonds for] their appearance there or that 
payment be made in the mean time. 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that the 
prices of all sorts of corn to be received upon any rate by virtue 
of this act, shall be such as the Governour and Council shall set 
from year to year, and in want thereof, at price courant at 
Boston. 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that every 
constable within this territory and dominion shall, on the pen- 
alty of five pounds, clear up all their accounts with the treasurer 
for the rates of the several towns, by the first of May yearly ; 
and they and every of them are hereby impowered to press 
boats or carts for the better and more speedy sending in their 
rates according to the time appointed : and if any constable 
shall not have collected the rates and assessments committed 
unto their charge by the treasurer, during the time of his office, 
that he shall notwithstanding the expiration of his office have 
power to levy by distress all such rates and levies ; and if he 
bring not into the treasurer, according to his warrant, the treas- 
urer shall distrain such constable's goods for the same ; and if 
the constable be not able to make payment, it shall be lawful for 
the treasurer to distrain, for all arrearages of rates and levies, 
any man or men of that town where the constables are unable, 



and that man or men upon complaint to the Superior Court of 
Judicature shall have order to collect the same again equally of 
the town, with his just damage for the same. 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that it 
shall and may be lawful for the select men of each town where 
strangers are or shall be, to assess all such strangers according 
to the cargoes they import, or in case of their refusal to give a 
true account of their estate, to assess them in any month in the 
year, yearly, according to their best discretion, in the same man- 
ner as other inhabitants are assessed and rated, by force of this 
act, and to be levied accordingly. 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that for 
all Wines, Brandy, Rum, and other Strong Waters, that shall at 
any time or times hereafter be imported into his Majesty's terri- 
tory and dominion of New England, or any part thereof, from any 
place whatsoever, there shall be paid to the treasurer or other per- 
son or persons as shall be appointed to receive and collect the 
same, the customs and duties following, that is to say : 

For every butt or pipe of Fayal wines or any other wines of 
the Western Islands, the sum of ten shillings ; Every pipe of 
Madeira wines, thirteen shillings and four pences ; every butt or 
pipe of Sherry, Sack, Malaga, Canary, Muscells (Marseilles?), 
Tent and Alicant, twenty shillings, and so proportionably, greater 
or less quantities of each kind. 

And for the better [secujring the customs and duties afore- 
said, Be it further enacted [by the authority afore] said, that no 
person or persons whatsoever [ ] unload any of the com- 

modities aforesaid, until due entry be made both of the quan- 
tity and quality of such wines or other liquors, upon oath, if 
required by the treasurer or such other person or persons as 



[21] 

shall be appointed to collect the customs and duties aforesaid, 
and that the customs are duly paid for the same ; and that no 
goods be landed upon any key, wharf or any other place but 
upon such key, wharf or place as shall be appoynted, under the 
penalty of the forfeiture of all such goods. 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that all 
goods, wares, merchandize and provisions of all sorts, excepting 
fish, sheeps' wool, cotton wool, and salt, which from any place 
shall be imported into any harbour, port, shore or place within 
this dominion, shall be rated in a just proportion with estates 
ratable in the country, (that is to say,) for every twenty shil- 
lings value shall be paid one penny in money, the valuation to 
be as followeth, that is to say : every hundred pounds at the 
place from whence it comes, to be accounted one hundred and 
twenty pounds ; to be paid by the person importing such goods 
or those to whom consigned ; and so in proportion for all greater 
or lesser quantities. 

And to the end the said duties may be duly paid and col- 
lected, it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all 
goods and provisions as aforesaid imported shall, by the master 
or purser of each ship or other vessel in which they are brought, 
before breaking bulk or landing any of the said goods, be cer- 
tified unto the said treasurer or receiver impowered in the sev- 
eral ports and places where they are brought, on penalty of for- 
feiture of twenty shillings per ton, according to the burthen of 
the ship or vessel wherein they are brought, from time to time. 
And all and every such receiver shall carefully and truly enter 
all such goods with their several marks, casks, packs, fardels, 
trusses, chests, trunks, cases, and all other things how soever 
called or distinguished, with the names of the persons to whom 



["J 

such goods or other things are sent and consigned or are owners 
thereof so far as may by all lawful means be discovered ; and all 
persons to whom such goods or other things aforesaid are con- 
signed or sent or are the owners thereo/ shall from time to time 
before such goods are landed signify the true and just value 
thereof, by shewing the true and perfect invoice thereof 
unto the aforesaid receiver for each part (port ?), who are 
hereby required to enter the gross sum thereof in a book for 
that purpose, what the said goods or other things amount unto, 
and shall forthwith demand and receive the several rates and 
assessments aforementioned. 

And in case of denial or delay of payment, the receiver shall 
levy the same by distress upon the said goods, at the rate or 
price set in the invoice, out of which he shall have two shilling 
per pound, for his labor therein. 

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that if 
any invoice or bill of parcels shall be falsified, concealed or not 
pro[duced], of any goods or other things imported as aforesaid, 
it shall be [lawful] for the treasurer or collector with the [ ] 
to rate all such goods or the owner [ ] same, according to 

their best discretion, provided it be not less than four pounds 
per ton as the same stands entered in the bill of loading or in 
the boat-swain or other officers' book. 

And it is further eftacted by the authority aforesaid, that 
there shall be paid unto his Majesty an Excise upon all wines, 
brandy, rum, and other distilled waters, mum, cider, ale and beer 
that shall be sold by retail in any town or place within this 
dominion, by those that retail the same that is to say, for every 
butt or pipe [of] wine, fifty shillings ; for every quart of brandyj 
rum or other distilled waters, two pence ; for every hogshead 



[23] 

of cider, ale or beer, two shillings six pence, all current money ; 
and after that rate, for any greater or smaller quantities. 

And for the due and orderly collecting and receiving of the 
excise aforesaid, It is likewise enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
that all retailers of wine, brandy, rum and other distilled waters, 
mum, cider, ale and beer, within this dominion shall, upon their 
purchase or receipt of all or any of the liquors before expressed, 
make entry thereof with the treasurer or such person or persons 
as shall be appointed, and pay the duties and excise aforesaid 
under the penalty of forfeiture of all such liquors as shall be 
found in any retailer's house not being duly entered and the excise 
paid as aforesaid. 

And every retailer who shall make his own cider, brew ale 
or beer, or distill strong waters, shall, from time to time and at 
all times when he or they shall so make, brew or distill the same, 
make entry with the treasurer or such person or persons as shall 
be appointed, of all such cider and beer or distilled waters by 
them made, brewed or distilled, and pay the excise aforesaid, 
under the like penalty and forfeiture of all such liquors as shall 
be found in any retailer's house, not entered and the excise not 
paid : and to that end it shall and may be lawfull to and for the 
treasurer, or such other person or persons as shall be appointed 
to receive the excise aforesaid, when and so often as he or they 
shall think fit, in the day time, to enter into any retailer's house, 
cellar or warehouse to search for such liquors as are not duly 
entered nor the excise paid for the same, and to gage any cask 
or casks ; and such liquors being found, to seize and secure 
accordingly : provided always, it shall and may be lawful for the 
said treasurer or any other person or persons that shall be 
appointed to receive the excise aforesaid, to agree with any 



[24] 

retailer for the excise for one whole year in one entire sum, to 
be paid quarterly, as he or they in their discretion shall think fit 
to agree for, without making any entries as aforesaid. Provided 
always, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no per- 
son or persons whatsoever shall sell any wines, brandy, rum, dis- 
tilled waters, mum, cider, ale, beer, or any other liquor, by 
retail, without a license ; nor shall any person sell less quanti[ty 
of] strong waters than live gallons, of wine than a quarter cask, 
at [any one] time, without first obtaining a license for the same 
under the [penalty of ] pounds for each default; the 

one half of all [penalties] contained in this act to be to the use 
of his Majesty, and the other half to him or them that shall 
inform or sue for the same in any of the courts within this 
dominion. 

And it is further enacted by the atithority aforesaid^ that all 
ships or vessels above twelve tons coming into any port or part 
of this dominion to trade or traffic, and that either in the whole or 
the greatest part thereof are not belonging to the actual inhabi- 
tants of the said dominion shall, every voyage they make, pay 
twelve pence per ton, or one pound of powder for each ton for 
the supply of his Majesty's castles and forts within his Majesty's 
dominions, to be received by the treasurer or such other person 
or persons as in the several ports and places shall be appointed 
to receive the same. And this act of the revenue and the sev- 
eral parts thereof to continue until the Governour by and with 
the advice and consent of the Council agree on and settle such 
other rates, taxes and impositions as shall be sufficient for sup- 
port of his Majesty's government. 

Boston ; Council House, the third day of March 1686. 
Examined by 

John West, D. S.' 

I Colonial Records of Connecticut Vol. 3, p. 405 Appendix. 



[25] 

A year later, the revenue for the support of the government 
being insufficient for the wants of the administration, an act was 
passed by Andros and his council providing additional duties 
in the words following : 

An Act for additional Duties of Imposts and Excise, for 
the better collecting and securing his Majesty's Revenue. 

Whereas the several Rates, Duties and Imposts heretofore 
continued and established are found to be far short of the ordi- 
nary and necessary charge required for the maintenance and sup- 
port of his Majesty's government of this his Territory and Domin- 
ion of New England, which that it may be supplied in the best 
and easiest manner, 

Be it enacted by the Governoiir and Council^ and it is hereby 
enacted by the authority of the same^ that for all Wines, Brandy, 
Rum and other Strong Waters that shall at any time or times 
hereafter be imported Into this his Majesty's Territory and Domin- 
ion of New England, or any part thereof, from any place what- 
soever, there shall be further paid to his Majesty's treasurer or 
receiver-general, or such other person or persons as are or shall 
be appointed to collect and receive the same, the additional cus- 
toms and duties following, that is to say : for every pipe of Fayal 
wines or any other wines of the Western Islands, the sum of 
twenty shillings ; for every pipe [of] Madeira wines, sixteen 
shillings and eight pence; for every pipe of sherry, Sack, Mal- 
aga, Canary, Tent and Alicant, ten shillings ; over and above 
the customs and duties mentioned and expressed in another 
Act, intituled. An Act for the continuing and establishing of sev- 
eral Rates, Duties and Imposts. And whereas by the said Act, 



[26] 

the excise on all wines sold by ;'^tail within the said Territory 
and Dominion is mentioned to be paid after the rate of fifty 
shillings per pipe, // is hereby further' enacted by the authority 
aforesaid^ that from henceforth in lieu and stead of the said 
fifty shillings per pipe, there shall be paid to his Majesty's treas- 
urer or receiver-general as aforesaid, or to such other person or 
persons as are or shall be appointed to collect and receive the 
same, for all wines sold by retail within any part of the said 
Territory and Dominion, by the person or persons who shall 
retail the same, the excise of one shilling for every gallon so by 
them retailed, in like manner as in the said act is directed and 
appointed. 

And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that 
henceforth there shall be likewise paid to his Majesty's treasurer 
and receiver-general or other officer as aforesaid, an additional 
excise of four pence for every gallon of Brandy, Rum, or other 
distilled waters retailed ; and for every barrel of Beer, Ale or 
Cider retailed, one shilling and three pence, to be paid by such 
as retail the same, over and above what is mentioned to be paid 
in the before recited Act ; and to be collected and received in 
such manner as by said act is directed. 

And for the better collecting and securing of the several 
duties, imposts and excise due and payable to his Majesty for 
the support of his government here, // is further enacted by the 
authority aforesaid^ that all goods, wares and merchandize 
whatsoever that at any time or times hereafter that shall be im- 
ported in any ship or vessel from any part or place whatsover 
out of this Dominion, shall be landed and put on shore at and 
in one of the ports hereafter mentioned and declared, that is to 
say, at Boston, Salem, Portsmouth, Bristol, Newport, New Lon- 



[27] 

don, Saybrook, New Haven, Milford, Fairfield and Stamford, or 
(and ?) at such places and times there as shall be appointed for 
the same, and at or in no other port, place or time whatsoever, 
under the penalty of forfeiture of such goods as shall be landed 
or delivered from on board any such ship or vessel contrary 
hereunto : and that all masters or commanders of ships or other 
vessels which at any time hereafter shall arrive or come in to any 
or either of the ports aforesaid, shall and do within four and twenty 
hours after arrival make entry of such ship or vessel with the 
officer or officers as are \^or^ shall be ^/pointed and authorized 
to collect and receive his Majesty's duties there, and give a gen- 
eral list or account of her loading with their several marks, num- 
bers and contents as far as he knoweth, and upon oath if 
required : and that no goods, wares or merchandize whatsoever 
be landed and put on shore out of any ship or other vessel in any 
[t?/] the ports aforesaid, before particular entry be made 
thereof, by the owner or such person or persons to whom such 
goods, wares or merchandizes are consigned, with the said offi- 
cer or officers, and his Majesty's duties first paid and satisfied, 
and a permit by him or them for the same, under the penalty 
of forfeiture of all such goods, wares and merchandizes as shall 
be otherwise landed or delivered out of any such ship or vessel. 

And that no master of any such ship or vessel do at any 
time or times hereafter bring his said ship or vessel to any wharf 
or key in any of the ports aforementioned before such time as he 
shall have duly entered his said ship or vessel with the officer 
or officers aforesaid and given them notice thereof, under the 
penalty of forfeiture of fifty pounds for every such offense. 

And whereas his Majesty hath been and is greatly defrauded 
and injured in his excise by retailers concealing their wines and 



[28] 

other liquors in private houses, It is therefore further enacted by 
the authority aforesaid, that no person or persons on any pre- 
tence or color whatsoever for the future shall or may take in, 
receive, harbour, entertain, keep or conceal, in his or their dwell- 
ing houses, cellars, warehouses, any quantity or parcels of 
Wines or other liquors belonging to any licensed person or per- 
sons, retailer or retailers, under the penalty of forfeiture of 
twenty pounds for every such quantity or parcel of Wines or 
other liquors so taken in, received, harbored, entertained, kept 
and concealed as aforesaid : neither shall any person or persons 
whatsoever sell or deliver, or cause, permit or suffer to be sold 
or deliver^^/, to any retailer or retailers, out of his or their 
houses, cellars or warehouses, less quantities of Wines or other 
liquors than by law they are permitted to sell or deliver, under 
the penalty of the forfeiture of all such Wines or other liquors 
as shall be found in any such house, cellar or warehouse. 

And that it shall and may \be'\ lawfull for any justice of the 
peace, upon complaint and oath made of any wines so sold and 
delivered, or kept and concealed, as aforesaid, to issue forth his 
warrant for the searching of any such houses, cellars or ware- 
houses, and for seizing and securing all such wines and other 
liquors as shall be there found, that the same may be in legal 
manner proceeded against and condemned accordingly. 

And whereas, by the before recited Act, liberty is given for 
any person or persons to sell and deliver the quantity of five 
gallons of strong waters and not under, unless retailers. It is 
hereby enacted and declared, that for the future none except such 
as are licensed retailers shall sell or deliver to any person or 
persons any lesser quantity of Rum, Brandy or other distilled 
waters, than a quarter cask, under the penalty in the said act 



[29] 

mentioned, any former law or usage to the contrary notwith- 
standing. 

Boston Council Chamber, on Wednesday, the 15th of Feb- 
ruary, in the 4th year of his Majesty's reign, Annoque Domini, 
1687. 

Examined per 

John West, Dept. Secretary.' 

In those liquor-loving days, when, as Cotton Mather says, 
every other house in Boston was an ale-house, the enormous 
rate of taxation on liquors provided for in this act must have 
been a severe blow to the already over-taxed colonists. 

The warrant for the tax of 1688 was substantially the same 
as that for the previous year, with the exception, that while the 
warrant of 1687 is written this one is printed, with the name of 
the town and the date, written in the blanks. It is as follows : 



J 



OHN USHER Esq; RECEIVER General of 
His MAJESTY'S Revenues within His Ter- 
ritory and Dominion in NEW-ENGLAND, 
To the Commissioner and Selectmen of the 
[l. s.1 Town of Providence in the County of Kings 

province & Road Island Greeting. By Vir- 
tue of an Act made by His EXCELLENCY 
the GOVERNOUR and COUNCIL, Entituled 
An Act for the Continuing and Establishing 
of Several Rates ^ Duties and Imposts : 

1 Colonial Records of Connecticut, Vol. 3, p. 433, Appendix. 



[3o] 

YOu are in His MEJESTY's Name Required, sometime 
in the Month of August next ensuing, to make a List 
of all the male Persons in the same Town, from Six- 
teen years old and upwards ; and a true Estimation of 
all Real and Personal Estates in such manner and Form as par- 
ticularly in the said Act is Directed," all of which Persons and 
Estates are by you the Commissioner and Select men to be 
rated and Assessed as followeth ; VIZ Every Person aforesaid 
(except the Members of His MAJESTY'S COUNCIL) one 
Shilling and eight pence^'by the Head ; and all Estates Real and 
Personal, at one Penny for every'Twenty Shillings, according to 
the Rates of the Cattel in the said Act mentioned : and the said 
Commissioner is hereby likewise Required upon the first 
Wendnesday in the month of September then next following, to 
Meet and Assemble with the Commissioners of the County at 
their Shire or County-Town, and bring with him (fairly written 
the just Number of the Male Persons listed as afore-said, and 
the Assessments of the Estates made in the said Town, where 
the Commissiones being so Assembled, shall duly and carefully 
Examine those Lists and Assessments, and Correct and perfect 
them, according to the true Intent of said Act ; and the same 
so perfected, the said Commissioners are speedily to transmit to 
the Treasurer for the time being, and under their hands (or the 
major part of them) together with the N ames of the Constables 
in each respective Town, that Orders may be given for Levying 
& Collecting the same accordingly. 

Given under my Hand and Seal at BOSTON, the 14th of 
July, in the Fourth Year of His MAJESTY'S Reign, Annoq ; 
DOMINI, 1688. 

Jn°. Usher, Treasure' ' 

I Providence Town Papers, 0524. 



[31] 

Pursuant to this order a rate was assessed whereof the fol- 
lowing is a copy. It shows plainly where the Commissioner 
and Select men endeavored to " correct and perfect " it, for 
scarcely one of the amounts on the whole list was left as it was 
originally made up. Some amounts were increased while others 
were reduced. As this correcting was done by writing one 
number over another, it is extremely difficult to decipher the 
amount, in many cases, that was finally determined upon as the 
amount of the tax. This rate bill for 1688 is as follows : 

A List of Names of those who were Rated in Providence to 
a Country Rate Agust i688. 

Silas Carpenter ) 

& Benjamin Carpenter f 
Stephen Arnold 
Johanna Reape 
James Blackmar 
John Shelden 
Timothy Sheldon 
Timothy Carpenter 
Mary Harris (widdow) 
Capf: ffenn': & Howlong ) 
his wife j 

Will Vinsent 

The Estate of y^ deceased ) 
Joseph Wise j 

John Thornton sen" 
John Thornton jun" 
Mary Burden 
Solomon Thornton 



0- 


17- 


4 


0- 


5- 


10 


0- 


4- 


6 


0- 


3- 


4 


0- 


I- 


3 


0- 


6- 


8 


0- 


7- 





0- 


10- 





0- 


2- 







2- 





0- 


6- 


8 


0- 


I- 


4 


0- 


3- 


6 


0- 


I- 


8 



[32j 



Tho: Haris 
Rich: Clemence 
Will: Hawkins 1 
& John his son j 
John Steere 
Ed: Haukins 
Peter Playce 
Alexander Balkom 
Nath: Mowrey 
Edward Inman Sen" 
Ed: Inman Jun' 
John Mawrey 
Joseph Hearnton 
John Inman 
Ben: Hearnton 
James Belloo 
Tho: Hopkins 
Eph: Prey 
John Prey 
Eliezer Whipple 
Will: Whipple 
Vail: Whitman 
Sam: Wilkinson 
Ed: Smith 
Elieazer Arnold 
Lawrence Wilkinson 1 
& his son Josiah j 
Jonath. Sprague 
Eph: Pierce 
John Wilkinson 



o- 


12- 


O 


o- 


4- 


2 


o- 


4- 


2 


o- 


4- 


2 


o- 


4- 


2 


o- 


2- 


O 


o- 


2- 


O 


o- 


4- 


8 


o- 


2- 


o 


o- 


I- 


4 


o- 


4- 


8 


o- 


I- 


2 


o- 


3- 


4 


o- 


3- 


o 


o- 


3- 


o 


o- 


2- 


lO 


o- 


O- 


6 


o- 


2- 


o 


o- 


4- 


2 


o- 


I- 


2 


o- 


6- 


8 


o- 


2- 


lO 


o- 


4- 


6 


o- 


5- 


lO 


o- 


4- 


8 


o- 


4- 


2 


0- 


5- 


4 


o- 


2- 


lO 



[33] 
Tho: ffenner 0-5-6 

o- I- 8 



The Estate of y^ 1 



deceased John Scott 

Jo°: Malavery 

Joseph Jenkes 

David Whipple 

Jo": Angell 

Tho: WalHng 

Jonath: Whipple 

Ben: Whipple 

Will: Haukinsjun' 

Joseph Williams 

John Walling 

John Sayles 

Richard Watterman 

Zacheriah ffeild 

The Estate of the ) 

deceased Anthony Evernden j 

Widow Mateson 

the estate of Thomas Clemence 

Austin Thomas & his 1 

two Sones Thomas & Henry j 

Steven Harding 

Abraham Harding 

Gregory Dexter & 1 

his sone John Dexter j 

Samuell Comestoke 

The Estate of the deceased ) 

Beniamin Hernden j 

Joseph Woodward 



0- 


3- 


6 


0- 


09- 





0- 


2- 


6 


0- 


6-06 


0- 


I- 


2 


0- 


2- 





0- 


2- 





0- 


5- 


6 


0- 


5- 


6 


0- 


I- 


4 


0- 


5- 


3 


0- 


2- 


6 


0- 


5- 





0- 


6- 


4 


0- 


3- 





0- 


4- 


2 


0- 


3- 


8 


0- 


3- 


4 


0- 


4- 


2 


0- 


9- 





0- 


3-: 


[O 


0- 


2- 


6 


0- 


3- 


6 



O- 2- 2 



[34] 

Sam: Whipple o- 5-10 

The Estate of y" deceased | 

Jo" Smith Mason & Joseph 

Smith his son 

Jo": Arnold 

Widdow Belloo 

Tho: Arnold 

Tho: Olney 

John Smith Miller I 

& Sarah his mother j 

Jo" Browne & ] 

Jo" his son j 

Epenetus Olney 

the Estate of y" deceased 1 

James Dexter j 

Gidion Cruffurd 

Shad: Manton 

Ed Manton 

Joseph Whipple 

the Estate of the ) 

deceased Jo" Thockmorton ) 

the Estate of y'' decease ) 

Richard Scott J 

Tho: Angell & | 



0- 


I- 


8 


0- 


0- 





0- 


3- 


6 


0- 


9- 


4 


0- 


9- 


2 


0- 


6- 


4 


0- 


5- 


6 


0- 


6- 





0- 


4- 


6 


0- 


I- 


3 


0- 


5- 


4 


0- 


4- 


10 



3- 6 
o- I- 9 
o- 4- 9 



James his Son 

Nath: Waterm" 0-14-2 

Daniell Abbott o- 3- 8 

Tho: fifield o- 9- 6 



Jo" Keyes & 1 
Anne his wife J 



o- o- 6 



[35j 



Elizabeth Harris (widdow) 

Abraham Man with y^ Est- ) 

ate of John Lappham j 

Daniell WilUams with j 

y^ Estate of y^ deceased )■ 

Nich: Power j 

James Clarke 

Anne Harris 

James Ashton 

Pardon Tillinghast 

Sam: Winsor with y*" ) 

Estate of George Shepard J 

Tho: Patey 

Daniell Browne 

Hen: Browne 

Andrew Edmunds 

The Estate formerly, & still 

reputed to belong to 

Ephraim Carpenter 

Rowland Joanes 

William Hopkins 

Will: Hearnton 

Rich: Bates 

John Sheldon jun' 

Nich: Sheldon 

George Keech 

Resolved Waterm" 



o- 


I- 


o 


o- 


I- 


8 


0-] 


[2- 


o 


o- 


I- 


6 


o- 


I- 


4 


o- 


o- 


8 


o- 


8- 


9 


o- 


5- 


lO 


o- 


2- 


03 


o- 


2- 





o- 


6- 


8 


o- 


I- 






o- I- 8 

o- o-io 

o- 5- 6 

O- O-IO 

O- I- o 

o- o- 6 

o- o- 6 

o- I- o 

o- o- 6 



[36] 

Joseph Aldridg 

James Walling 

The Estate of ) 

Will Asteen j 

Arthur ffen' jun' 

Jeremiah Rhodes 

Hen: Browne jun"" 

Will: Prey 

Alexander Balkom jun' 

Joshua Clarke 

Rich: Phillipps 

Peter Belloo 

Sam Wright 

John Whipple 

Jo" Hearnton 

Ephraim Carpenter jun' 

The Estate of y^ deceased 1 

Roger Williams j 

The Estate of y^ deceased 1 

Providence Williams j 

Joseph Jenkes jun' 

Nathaniell Jenks 

Clement King 



o- 


o- 6 


c- 


o- 6 


o- 


o- 3 


o- 


4-1 1 


o- 


0-09 


o- 


I- 3 


o- 


I- 


o- 


I- 


o- 


I- 


o- 


-0 8 


o- 


I- 


o- 


I- 6 


o- 


5- 


o- 


I- 




0- 9 



O- 2- 3 



in^ 




0- I- 3 






0-1-0 






0- 2- 9 


Sum of Estate 


2^1b. 12^. ^d 




pole Money 


14'^: 





By vertue of a warrant from John Vsher Esq*^ Treasurer; Lev- 
ied upon y^ inhabetants of Providence as to Estates, the afoersd 
Levie, By y^ Comission*^: & Select, was made & performed in 



[37] 

Agust Anno: 1688; The Sum (Errors Excepted) Amounts 
together with the pole money, to 37'^: 12': 3^^: 

Tho : Olney Comission"" : 

Pardon Tilllnghast "| 

Nathaniell Waterman | 

Edward Smith Y Select men 

Joseph Williams I 

John Dexter' J 

The most interesting list, however, in connection with the 
assessment made by virtue of the warrant of July 14, 1688, is 
that prepared for the assessment of the poll tax ; for here is 
found the names of practically all the males in Providence at 
that time. The warrant of the treasurer required that these 
names be " fairly written " and for this purpose the services of 
William Turpin were enlisted. He was the schoolmaster, and 
was the best penman in the town. Most of the names are in 
his handwriting. 

The list is as follows : 

William Hopkins William Olney 

John Dexter John Sailes 

Joseph Jinkes jun*^ Thomas Hopkins 

Edward Smith James Angell 

Joseph Williams Thomas Olney jun"^ 

Nathaniell Waterman John Morrey 

Beniamine Carpender Nathaniell Morrey 

Richard Clements John Inman 



I Providence Town Papers 0531. 



[38] 



Edward In man jun'^ 
James Bellew 
Samuell Wilkinson 
Josiah Wilkinson 
Beniamine Hernden 
John Pray 
Eliazer Whipple 
David Whipple 
John Angell 
Eliazer Arnold 
John Wilkinson 
Jonathan Sprague 
Ephraim Peirce 
Alexander Bolcom sen"" 
Alexander Bolcom jun' 
Thomas Wallin 
Nathaniel Jynkes 
Thomas Astin 
Henry Astin 
John Hawkins 
William Hernden 
Joseph Hernden 
John Hernden 
Samuel Whipple 
Thomas Harris 
Joseph Smith 
Thomas Arnold 
John Arnold 
Peter Bellew 
John Browne jun' 



Edward Manton 
Epenetus Olney 
Beniamine Whipple 
Joseph Whipple 
John Thornton jun"" 
Thomas Thornton 
James Thornton 
Samuell Right 
Daniell Browne 
Ephraim Pray 
Joseph Woodward 
Daniell Abbit 
John Wallin 
Abraham Man 
Peter Place 
Daniel Williams 
Samuel Winsor 
Richard Waterman 
Henry Browne 
Zachariah ffeild 
William Vincent 
Timothy Carpender 
Silas Carpender 
Stephen Arnold jun' 
Eliza Arnold 
James Blackmore 
Edward Hawkins 
Thomas ffenner 
Arthur ffenner 
Jonathan Whipple 



[39] 



John Bullock 
William Whipple 
James Wallin 
Samuell Comestock 
Abraham Harding 
Richard Bates 
Nathaniell Waterman jun"" 
James Mattison 
Thomas Harris jun"" 
James Phillipps 
Timothy Sheldon 
John Sheldon 
Nicholas Sheldon 
Richard Arnold jun"" 
Richard Sailes 
William Hawkins jun*" 
Joshua Clarke 
John Waterman 
John Whipple jun' 
Content Clements 
James Brown 
Joseph Phillipps 
Joseph Smith weaver 
John Hayden 
Richard Burden 
Cornelius Higgins 
Robert Gardner 
Richard Phillipps 
John Mattison 
Issac Hernden 



Valentine Whitman 
John Blaxton 
Ephraim Carpender 
Jacob Clarke 
Pardon Tillinghast jun"^ 
Samuell Whipple jun' 
Richard Waterman jun' 
Beniamine Smith 
Richard Harris 
Resolved Waterman 
Ebenezer Jinkes 
Edward Smith jun' 
Joseph Smith son of Tho Smith 
Phillip Tillinghast 
Jos. Burdon 
John Steere, jun' 
John Aldridge 
Gideon Crawford 
Solomon Thornton 
Issarell Smith 
James Olney 
John Arnold 
Joseph Morrey 
Nicholas Harris 
Thomas Smith 
Joseph Aldridge 
Ebenezer Sumner 
Mosis Bartlett 
Rich Bullock 
Beniamin Thornton 



[40] 



Thomas Whipple 


John Whipple 




WilHam Hack 


Thomas ffeild 




John Cobb 


Sheldrake Manton 




William Randall 


Andrew Edmonds 




Thomas ffeild jun' 


Daniel Abbitt* 




Juda Browne 


William Hawkins* 




John Dailey 


John Smith mellorf 




Obediah Browne 


William terpinf 




William Steer 


Jeake Lamef 




William Thornton 


Capt. Authur ffennerf 




Tho Williams 


Joseph Jenckesf 




Eliazer Whipple jun' 


Stuen Arnoldf 




Tho Angell 


henere Brownef 




John Mallavery sen' 


Thomas Pateyf 




John Yeats 


John Shelldonf 




Mired Harris 


Valintine Whitmanf 




John Taber 




62 


Beniamin Tillinghast 




58 


John Steer sen' 




54 


Samuel Aldridge 




172 


Thomas Olney 







By vertue of a warrant from John Vsher Esq"" Treasurer A 
list made of persons who are Rated by y^ head in Providence 
Taken & made in Providence in y"^ Month of Agust Anno 1688 
by y^ Comission' & Selectmen 



*These names are crossed out in the original. 
tThese names were not written by Turpin. 



[41] 

Tho : Olney Comission'': 
Pardon Tillinghast 
Nathaniell Waterman 
Edward Smith ' 
John Dexter 
Joseph Williams^ 

Before another year had rolled around Andros had been 
arrested and imprisoned at Boston, and his administration over 
the affairs of New England ceased. On the first of May, 1689, 
Rhode Island resumed her government under her charter. 

1 Although the names of the Commissioner and Select men are not subscribed to the tax assessment made 
pursuant to the warrant of July 20, 1687, the name of the Commissioner is obtained from the following document 
(Providence Town Papers 0507). 

" Att a Towne meetting ye 15th of Agust 1687: 

Capt Arthur ffenr Chosen Moderatr of ye Assembly ; The wch was called by virtue of ye Genrll Treasurr 

warrant to ye Constables of this Towne of providence, that they upon receipt thereof, should proceed to a choyce 

of a Commissionr (being one of or inhabitants) to joyne wth ye Select men of or Towne for ye mannageing ye 

bissnesse of his Majesties Rate in ye sd warrant expressed: 

The v/ch accordingly was done & pformed ye day above sd Edward Smith being ye man chosen ye Com- 

issionr, & at Length accepted ye place. 

As attest Dan : Abbott Clerke 

2 Providence Town Papers 0532. prolempory." 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX 



Many of the statements or schedules of ratable property 
which the townsmen submitted to the assessors are yet preserved 
among the archives of the City of Providence. More than a 
hundred of these quaint writings are without date. A few, 
however, show the time when they were prepared, and from 
these the following have been selected referring to the taxes 
assessed in 1687 ^^^ 1688. 

The Account of Tho: Wallings Estate 
As ffolloweth 

^ 3 Cows 9-0-0 

p one 4 year & vantage steer 3-0-0 

■p 3 yearling Steers 3-0-0 

■p one maire three yeare old 3-0-0 

'^ aboute 2 acars of Tillable Land i-o-o 

'^ y^ 3"* part of a share of Meddow 1-0-0 

And y^ 3^^ part of y^ farme ; con | 
taineing aboute 40 acars of Land j 

I claime also y^ Right by allottment, | 

due to me from y^ Towne, aboute 28 acars j 



2-0-0 



[46] 

Memorand : Jo" walling, hath also to be noted (if he hath 
ommitted y^ same in his acct to you) the Like pro- 
potion of interest of Land, Equall to his Bro : 
Thomas : 

The other 3'^ part of theire fairm, is yet in y^ cus- 
tody of Daniell Abbott : But pray sett y^ assessm' 
thereof by it selfe : 

Tho : walling's Right beyond y^ 7 mile Line was 
wil'd unto his son Cornealous walling : But place 
y^ assessm' thereof, to Andrew Edmuns who has 
y^ Ladd : 

Memorand James walling (it seems) hath, 30 acars 

Moreover I y' sd Abbott, doe claime y^ Right by allottment, due 
to me from this Towne vpon Divissions of Land 
agreed, vpon my father's Right, & y" inteerest w'^'' I 
Bought of others, yet to be Layd out to me for my 
propotion, (the w^'' I omitted in y^ other acct given 
in) aboute y" sum of 227 acars, on y^ East side of 
y^ 7 mile Line. 

I also claime as my Right from this Towne, Two 
Rights beyond y*" 7 Seaven mile Line : 



Not thinking need full more to be Esteated I Remaine yo' 
ffriend in what I may 

August 29"" 1687 : 

Daniell Abbott^ 



I Providence Town Papers 0506. 



[47] 

August 29''' 

,j. The account of Dan : Abbotts 

Estate As ffolloweth — 



1 



My house & Land at home & y' in y' neck that seem to be 

fenct 
And y" 3*^ part of a share of meddow 

in my Custody w"" y* demolished 

orchard of Tho : walling. 
■p 2 Cows, one of them farrow 
^ a p of 3 yeare & vantage steers 
^ one horse, & one Maire 
^ 5 poor swine 

And as for o' small houshold-things ^ 
you may be pleased to vew them yo"" ! 

selves we have but one poor bed of f 

o"^ owne: J 

Saith Daniell Abbott . 

Memdrand A yoake of oxen yet.' 

August 29 1687 An account of Jo" Wallings 
Estate 

■^ 2 Cows 

^ a tu yeere old hefer 
and a yerland 
and a 3 yeere old mare 
And about a naker & halfe of land 
with in fence planted & ^ the 
thurd part of a Share of meddow^ 

1 Providence Town Papers 0508. 

2 Providence Town Papers 0509. 



[48] 

two oxen thre Cows one 3 yer old hifer 

foure tow yer olds Cattle thre yerlings 

one hors, one mare one two yer old hors 

fiue small swine 

Eighttene shepe A yere old 

one hous lott one hous lott more 

Eightty seven Acors of land in the wilderness 

A Share beyond the seven mile line unlaid out 

A swamp Called Joshuas swampe 5 or 6 Acors 

halfe A share of medow Called Sheperds med 

About thirty Acors At my hous 

thre plowed About 5 or 6 rough paster of the said thirty 

this is the best Account that I Can give 

The i' of September 

Samuel Winsor 

one hors more belonging to resalvid Waterman whoe is with 

me upon wages 
more A leven Acors of land in the neck that was for gott.y' was 

Shepards 

S W^ 

2 oxen, 8 Cows A 3 yer old hifer and A bull 

3 two yer olds 5 yerlings And a hors 
6 Swine 2 lots belongin to the hows 
A share of medow 32 Acors of land 

this is the Acount of 
the I '^ of September James Angell 

1687 

A pies of medow yelding a load 

of hay ^ 

1 Providence Town Papers 0510. 

2 Providence Town Papers 0510, 



[49] 

To y' Comlssion' & y' Select men of this Towne of provi- 
dence Assembled this 6'^ of August 1688. 

Gentlemen, 

I gave in an ace" of my Estate vnto you y' 
Last yeare. And according to y^ Rule you went by, My stock is 
now Less than it was : by A yoak of oxen, one Cow, & 2 
swine, w'''' is — 15*^ But my Last yeare calfe, is become a 
yearling : 

A paire of 4 yeare old Steers 

one Cow 

one horse 

Three swine 

And my maimd maire, if she be Living 

Daniell Abbott 

On the back side of this return of ratable property there is 
written : 

According to y' Rule you went : the propotion of my Rate 
with poll money Encluded, is, — 0-6-6 

0-5-0 

Dan : Abbott' 

August: 6'^: 1688 
The Estate of Joseph Jenckes jun"^ 
3 accres of plantin Land i accre orchard 
3 Cowes one 2 yeare old hayfer one mare 

The Estate of Nathaniel Jenckes 
2 accres plantin Land, i Cowe i. 2 year old 

iProvidence Town Papers 0525. 



[5o] 

I : yeareling : i : 2 year old horse i yeareling 
Colt. 

the Estat of Joseph Jenckes Senyer 

About 6 acors planting land 

about 2 acors medow 

about 8 acors of sough pastewer land 

about 30 acors of wild pastewer 

on purchis Right throwout 2 beyond 

the 7 mile lin 

Cattell 

4 oxen 7 Cowes 2 4 yere owld sters 

on 2 yer hefer on yerlin 

on 3 yer oulld Swine 

my sheepe littell improued 

my saw mill redy to fall without costom 

my fordge 

2 maires on yerlin Coult' 

the A Count of our estates Ratable 

4 Oxen, 20 Cows, 5. 3 year old Catel one Stear 4 year old 
own bool 6 two year old Catel, ten : year old Catel Ten akers 
of uplald medow, and 4 of bogey, and one of Salt And half 
a share of bogey medow, About 30 Acores of paster And 
planting land 5 of it planted 370 Acors of out land in 
patuxet : 2 : 50 acors lotes by the Seuen Mile line and 2 writs 
beyound the line in patuxet Neck 14: acors. About 60 : Sheep 
and 5 hoges : 

August the 6"^: 1688 : 

Silas Carpenter 

Beniamin Carpenter 

I Providence Town Papers 0536, 



[50 

My one Stock of horses in pertekeler : 4 Mares 
one hors : and one 2 year old, 

Silas Carpenter 

Sen Carpenter 250 Acores of land 

This paper is endorsed : 2 marres and one horse one 
2 year old. 

Beniamin Carpenter' 

Dated Agust lo'*' 1688 
An Acount of the estate of Arthur ffenner 
Jmprimis aboute three Hondred Acres of wood land vn fenced 
and vnimproved aboute twenti Acres of inclosed wild pas- 
ture and aboute tenn Acres inclosed of english pasture orchad 
and all medo three Sheare Sum of it being veri boggi scarce 
worth moing aboute five Acres of planting land two oxen nine 
Cows five yeare old Catel six two yeare old Cattel and fine three 
yeare old Cattell fore mares owne of them but a yeareling mare 
owne Horse three swine tenn sheepe this is a just acount 

I pray be not vndmindfull of the Golden Rule 

for the Celet men of Providence^ 

This is an a Count as neare as I Can according to order of 
my Estate within the Towne of prouidence 
first of meadow 27 acers of Good and bad 

2 — Ground in tilledg 3 acers and a Quarter 

3 — Pastuers of Seuerall kinds near 20 acers 

1 Providence Town Papers 0528. 

2 Providence Town Papers 0529. 



[52] 

4 — of deuided land in pautuxet neck all unfenced 32 acers 

& lyeing in Common 
5 — 16 Cowes I haue at present 
6 — ^I have 4 oxen : & 2 horses 
7 — I have 4 mares young & old 
8 — 87 Sheepe of a year old & upward 
9 — one yong hors aboue a year old 
10 — We have of drye Cattell 6 yearlings : & 6 of 2 year old : 

and 5 of 3 year old and 2 of 4 year old & a bull 
1 1 — We have 5 Swine in a Sty 
12 — 2 Sheares & half of pautuxet undeuided lands between 

pachaset River and the salt water 
13 — one share of Thirteene of undeuided lands on y' west of 
pachaset Riuer thorrow out Weastward to y^ end of y' 
purchise 
14 — one Share beyond y^ 7 mile line So caled 
15 — 70 acers of land I bought of Edward beenet 
16 — My Right of land at Wainsoceet or Wainsokeet 

Pautuxet This lo"" of Augost in y' yeare 1688 

Stephen Arnold ' 

I Providence Town Papers 0530. 



INDEX 



INDEX 



Abbott Daniel 8 12 34 38 40 41 46 47 49 
Aldrich John 39 

Joseph 13 36 

Samuel 40 
Andros Sir Edmund 45 15 25 41 
Angell James 12 34 37 48 

John 10 33 38 

Thomas 12 34 40 
Arnold Eleazer 10 32 38 

John 1 1 34 38 39 

Richard junior 39 
Arnold Stephen 931 40 52 
junior 38 

Thomas 11 34 38 

widow 1 1 
Ashton James 1235 
Austin Henry 33 38 

Thomas 33 38 

William 13 36 
Baker Thomas 13 
Balkom Alexander 9 32 2,8 

junior 133638 
Ballou James 10 32 38 

John 13 



[56] 

Ballou Peter 13 36 38 

widow 1 1 34 
Bartlett Moses 39 
Bates Richard 13 35 39 
Bennett Edward 52 
Blackmare James 9 31 38 
Blaxton John 39 
Boston 6 7 24 26 29 30 41 
Bristol 26 

Browne Daniel 13 35 38 
Henry 13 35 3^ 40 
junior 13 36 
James 39 
John 1 1 34 

junior 38 
Juda 40 
Obadiah 40 
Bullock John 39 

Richard 39 
Burden Joseph 39 
Mary 9 31 
Richard 39 
Burlingame John 14 
Roger 14 
Thomas 14 
Burton William 14 
Carpenter Benjamin 9 31 37 50 51 
Ephraim 13 35 39 

junior 14 36 
Silas 9 31 38 50 51 



[57] 

Carpenter Timothy 9 31 38 
Clarke Jacob 39 

James 12 35 
Joshua 13 36 39 
Clements Content 39 

Richard 9 32 37 
Thomas 11 33 
Cobb John 40 

Colonial Records of Connecticut 14 24 
Comstock Samuel 11 33 39 
Connecticut 14 15 24 
Cooper Thomas 13 
Crawford Gideon 12 34 39 
Dailey John 40 
Dexter Gregory 1 1 33 

James 12 34 

John II 33 37 41 
Edmunds Andrew 13 35 40 46 
Estance Henry 11 

Thomas 1 1 
Esten see Austin 
Evernden Anthony 1 1 33 
Fairfield 27 
Farmington 1 5 
Fenner Arthur 38 40 41 51 
junior 13 36 

Capt 9 31 

Howlong 31 

Thomas 10 33 t^S 
Field Thomas 12 34 40 
junior 40 



[58] 

Field Zachariah ii 33 38 

Fowler 9 

Gardner Robert 39 

Hack William 40 

Harding Abraham 11 33 39 

Stephen 11 33 
Harris Anne 12 35 

Elizabeth 12 35 
Mary 9 31 
Mired 40 
Nicholas 39 
Richard 39 
Thomas 9 32 38 
junior 39 
Hawkins Edward 9 32 38 
John 9 32 38 
William 9 32 40 

junior 10 2>3 39 
Hayden John 39 
Hearnton Benjamin 11 33 38 

junior 10 32 
Isaac 39 
John 14 36 3S 
Joseph 9 32 38 
William 13 35 38 
Higgins Cornelius 39 
Hopkins Thomas 10 14 32 37 

William 13 35 37 
Inman Edward senior 9 32 

junior 9 32 38 
John 10 32 37 



[59] 

Jenkes Ebenezer 39 

Joseph 10 33 40 50 

junior 36 37 49 

Nathaniel 10 36 38 49 
Joanes Rowland 13 35 
Joshua's Swamp 48 
Keach George 13 35 
Keyes Anne 12 34 

John 12 34 
King Clement 36 
Lame Jeake 40 
Lapham John 12 35 
Laws of Andros and Council 15 25 
List of Males 37 
Malavery John 10 33 40 
Man Abraham 12 35 38 
Manton Edward 12 34 38 

Shadrach 12 34 40 
Mather Cotton 29 
Mathewson widow 1 1 33 
Mattison James 39 
John 39 
Milford 27 
Mowry John 9 32 37 

Joseph 39 

Nathaniel 9 32 37 
New Haven 26 

London 26 
Newport 26 

Olney Epenetus 11 34 38 
James 39 



[6o] 

Olney Thomas ii 34 37 40 41 
junior 37 
William 37 
Patey Thomas 12 35 40 
Pawtuxet 52 

neck 50 52 
Phillips James 39 
Joseph 39 
Richard 13 36 39 
Pierce Ephraim 10 32 38 
Place Peter 9 32 38 
Pocasset river 52 
Portsmouth 26 
Potter Abel 14 
Power Nicholas 12 35 
Pray Ephraim 10 32 38 
John 10 32 38 
Richard 12 
William 13 36 
Randall William 9 40 
Reape Joanna 9 31 
Relph Samuel 14 
Thomas 14 
Rhodes Jeremiah 13 36 
Roberts Peter 14 
Salem 26 
Saybrook 27 
Sayles John 11 33 -t^-] 

Richard 39 
Scott John 10 33 

Richard 12 34 



[6.] 

Searle Edward 14 
Sheldon John 931 39 40 
junior 13 35 
Nicholas 13 35 39 
Timothy 9 31 39 
Shepard George 12 35 
Shepard's meadow 48 
Smith Benjamin 39 

Edward 10 32 37 41 

junior 39 
Israel 39 
John 1 1 

mason 1 1 34 
miller 34 40 
Joseph II 34 38 

son of Thomas 39 
weaver 39 
Sarah widow 1 1 34 
Thomas 39 
Sprague Jonathan 10 32 38 
Stafford Joseph 14 
Thomas 14 
Stamford 27 
Steere John 9 32 40 
junior 39 
William 40 
Sumner Ebenezer 39 
Tabor John 40 
Tax list 8 31 
Thomas Austin 33 



[62] 

Thomas Estance 1 1 
Henry 33 
Thomas 33 
Thornton Benjamin 39 
James 38 
John junior 9 31 38 

senior 9 31 
Solomon 9 31 39 
Thomas 38 
William 40 
Throckmorton John 12 34 
Tillinghast Benjamin 40 

Pardon 12 35 37 41 

junior 39 
Philip 39 
Trumbull J. Hammond 15 
Turpin William 37 40 
Usher John 6 7 8 1 1 29 30 36 40 
Vincent William 9 31 38 
Wadsworth John senior 15 
Walling Cornelius 46 

James 13 36 39 
John 10 33 38 46 47 
Thomas 10 33 2>8 45 46 47 
Warrant to assess and collect tax 6 7 29 
Waterman John 39 

Nathaniel 12 34 37 41 

junior 39 
Resolved 13 35 39 48 
Richard 11 33 38 
junior 39 



[63] 

West John 24 29 

Whipple Benjamin 10 33 38 
David 10 33 38 
Eleazer 10 32 38 
junior 40 
John 13 36 40 
junior 39 
Jonathan 10 33 38 
Joseph 12 34 38 
Samuel 11 34 38 
junior 39 
Thomas 40 
William 10 32 39 

Whitman Valentine 10 32 39 40 

Wilkinson John 10 32 38 
Josiah 32 7,8 
Lawrence 10 32 
Samuel 10 32 38 

Williams Daniel 12 35 38 

Joseph 10 33 37 41 
Providence 14 36 
Roger 14 36 
Thomas 40 

Winsor Samuel 12 35 38 48 

Wise Joseph 9 31 

Woodward Joseph 11 3 3 38 

Woonsocket 52 

Wright Samuel 13 36 38 

Yale College Library 15 

Yeats John 40 



